By Talbert Black, Jr.  Interim State Coordinator, South Carolina Campaign for Liberty

This is a response to Senator McConnell and Senator Larry Martin.  The first few paragraphs are a brief response for those who are not interested in the details.  Following that is a more in depth response for those who like to dig a little deeper.

Senator McConnell and Senator Larry Martin have drawn their proverbial line in the sand.  They have declared, in writing, that they oppose H3047.  Their reasons can be boiled down to three items.

1. The Senate already has a rule requiring roll call votes on some items and the Senate does not need to record all their votes because the Senate is “more deliberative” than the House.
2. The South Carolina Constitution says that the Senate can make their own rules.
3. The South Carolina Constitution already says that the Senate must take a recorded roll call vote when 5 senators ask for one so any additional requirements would be unconstitutional. [Read more →]

Please contact Rep. Danny Cooper today at HWM@schouse.org and at (803) 734-3144. Tell him to bring H3047 up for a vote in his committee.

H. 3047 is the bill before the SC House of Representatives that provides for roll call voting.  What it really means is accountability.  It allows ‘We the People’ to see how our representatives and senators are voting…it gives us a record by which we can evaluate their individual performance.

Some say, ‘there are so many things that pass through the houses that are not important enough and too time consuming for a roll call vote’.  Examples given are such things as resolutions to recognize individuals, charities, organizations, etc. for any of a host of reasons. However, if an item is not of enough importance for a roll call vote, it is not important enough to take up time in the chambers.  The houses are only in session 3 days a week.  That time needs to be dedicated to issues of the utmost importance.